Liquid filter



C. W. WOODS Jan. 18, 1949.

LIQUID FILTER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 8, 1946 may Jan. 18, 1949. vWOODS 2,459,353

LIQUID FILTER Filed July 8, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 18, 1949UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID FILTER Clayton W. Woods, Omaha, Nebr.

Application July 8, 1946, Serial No. 682,069

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to filtering systems for removingimpurities from water and, more particularly, to tanks and valvesemployed in conjunction therewith.

It is an object of the invention to provide a filtering tank which is soconstructed that the filtration material employed may be readily andrapidly back washed for cleansing said material at intermittent selectedintervals of time in a manner whereby operating costs are lessened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the abovestated purpose which is compactly constructed for conserving floor spaceof an institution employing a water filtering system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tank for the abovestated purposes which is so constructed that an appreciably lessquantity of steel material is required for. the production thereof thanheretofore required for tanks of equivalent filtration capacity.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device whichemploys a minimum of valves for an operation thereof.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an economicallymanufactured arrangement of slidable valves for cooperative use with theparticular tank of the present invention.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will beunderstood from the following detailed description thereof.

While the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention,it will be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needsand requirements the design may be varied and such other changes inminor details of construction and the number of parts employed may beresorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a filtering tank ofliquid under pressure type and showing an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section thereof, the view being takensubstantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 3 is a transverse section, the view being taken on line 3-3 ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4'--4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 and showing a gravity type tankmodification of the tank of the present invention.

Filters of large capacity, such as are used in large laundries andsimilar institutions for clar- 2 ifying liquids which utilize sand orother suitable granular filtering materials are usually so constructedthat liquid'such as water, which passes downwardly through saidmaterials causes for eign substances and debris to be depositedclingingly with respect to said materials for separating debris from thewater whereby a filtration tank must be periodically back washed andupwardly or in a direction reverse to the initial flow of water forcleansing the said filtering material of the said debris. For a backwashing operation, as is well-known, a rate of flow of the washingliquid, primarily and usually water, which is three to five times asgreat as the rate of flow of liquid during a percolation of the latteris required in order to properly cleanse a bed of filtering materialsince a downward percolating flow is aided by gravity and passes throughinitially clean, sharp materials, as compared Witha flow of Waterupwardly through an initially clogged bed of filtering material whichinitially impedes said upward flow resultant from deposits of sedimentand foreign substances being initially united with the gravel, sand andother filtering material of a filter and the present invention aims toobviate certain undesirable featuresof the prior practice.

Referring now to the drawings for a more particular description and.first to Figure 1, the cylindrical tank of the present inventionincludes a sleeve portion it, having oppositely disposed ends or headsII and I2 which are provided with annular flanges I 3. The flanges arewelded to the sleeve Ill whereby the cylindrical tank, generallyindicated at M, is water-tight and enabled to withstand a comparativelyhigh degree of water under pressure without leakage.

The interior. of the tank I0 is sub-divided into a plurality ofcompartments by means of transversely disposed divisionalwalls I5 andit, two thereof being depicted in the drawingswhereby similarcompartments are provided, said compartments being indicated at IT, I8and I9, respectively.

The divisional walls I5 and I6 for the tank I4 are circular in :plan andtheir perimetrical edges are welded to the inner annular surface of thesleeve Ill so that the said compartments are water-tight with respect toeach other adjacent said Walls.

In use, the tank I4 is preferably horizontally disposed and adjacent theuppermost portion thereof a pipe 20 is provided which extends throughthe head II, the divisional walls I5 and I6 and through the compartmentsI! to I9 inclusive, said pipe 20 having a cover cap or plug 2| on itsinner end and being in communication with a source of supply of waterunder pressure, as later described.

The pipe 25 is provided with a plurality of apertures adjacent its upperportion, whereby the apertures 22 service the compartment H, theapertures 23 the compartment l8 and the apertures 2 1 the compartmentI9. I welded to the divisional walls l and Hi and the head E1 wherebyleakage of water adjacent said walls is prevented.

The compartments H and I8 are water-tight with respect to each otherexcept that there is communication permitted through the pipe 2|] fromone compartment to the other and through the apertures 22 to 24inclusive which provides a means of equalized hydrostatic pressurebetween the compartments and without interfering with the latterdescribed back washing resultants.

Adjacent the bottomof the tank M, a second pipe or collector conduit 25is provided which extends through the heads II and I2 of the tank l4together with the divisional walls l5 and I6 of said tank. The outerannular surface of the collector pipe 25 is welded to the adjacentportions of said heads and walls for providing a water-tight device. 7

The collector pipe'25 is provided with a plurality of transverselydisposed apertures which are rectangular in plan and, as shown in Figurethe aperture '26 of the pipe 25 serves the compartment H, the aperture2'! serves the compartment l8 and the aperture 28 serves the compartmentI9.

That end of the collector pipe 25 which is adjacent the compartment I1is provided with a cover cap 29, having a bearing sleeve 30 attachedthereto and which extends inwardly of the collector pipe 25 for purposeslater described.

Within the collector pipe 25, a shoe or valve head is provided for eachof the apertures 26 to 28, inclusive.

Referring to Figure 4, the shoe 30 which, at times, covers or closes theaperture 28, is provided with an elongated arcuate surface A which iscomplemental to the cross-sectional contour of the inner annular surfaceB of the collector pipe '25, said shoe being approximately planoconvexin cross-section. The shoe 3!! is provided with an upstanding lug 3| towhich a bifurcated end of a' link rod 32 is attached by means of a pin33, as best shown in Figure 1.

The other end of the link 32 is provided with a similar bifurcated endwhich is attached, by means of a pin 34, to the lug 35 of the shoe 36.The shoe 36 is similar to the shoe 30 except that it is provided with amedially disposed aperture 3! which at times, during operation, becomesdis-i posed in vertical alignment with the aperture 2'! of the collectorpipe 25 for permitting a passage of liquid through the aperture '21 ofthe collector pipe 25 and the aperture 31 of the shoe 3E.

The aperture 31 of the shoe 36 is disposed medially of the ends of saidshoe and said end portions of the shoe 36 seal or cover the aperture 21of the pipe 25 at times, as later described.

The shoe 36 is provided with a further lug 35 which, by means of afurther pin 39, is connected with a further link 40 at one of thebifurcated ends of the latter.

The shoe 43, at times, seals or covers the aperture 26 of the collectorpipe '25 and, as thus described, it will be seen that at time when theshoe 30 is moved longitudinally of the collector The pipe 20 is.

pipe 25, that a similar movement is causedto be simultaneously appliedto the links 32 and 40 and j to the shoes 36 and 45 whereby said linksand shoes slide longitudinally of the collector pipe 25 in unison.

The shoe 43 is preferably provided with a uide rod 44 attached to thatendthereof which is adpipe 25 unduly. However, it will be seen thatsince the shoes 35, 36 and 53 are compartively heavy, that duringsliding movements thereof that they always seek the lowermost portion ofthe collector'conduit 25 and it will be understood that since, as shownin Figure 4, the shoes overlap the side edges of their respectiveapertures appreciably, that at times when the said shoes do moveslightly and transversely of the collector pipe 25 that the apertures ofsaid collector pipe remain,

sealed or covered at desired times, as later described.

It will be understood that the interior of the collector pipe 25 iscomparatively rough, since said collector pipe 25 is formed-of commonpipe whereby a small amount of leakage past the shoes is permittedwithout detrimentallyeffecting the later described resultants unduly.

As best shown in Figure 4, that end of the shoe 3B which is closest tothe head ll of the tank I4 is provided with vertically disposed spacedapart cars 45 and 45. A bolt 41 extends throughthe ears 45 and 56, beingsecured in operative position by means of 'a cotter pin or, the like48.-

plemental to the width of the cars 45 and 45 e and, as thus described,it will be seen that the shaft 5| is attached to said ears and to theshoe 30 whereby the shaft 50 is rotatable with respect to the shoe 30for moving the latterlongitudinally of the collector pipe 25, as laterdescribed.

A medial portion of the shaft 55 is provided with a screw thread 5|. Adetent pin 52 is dis posed through the shaft 50 at one end of the thread5| and a similar detent pin 53 is secured to the shaft 50 at the otherend of the screw thread 5|.

The collector pipe 25 is provided with a flange 54 disposed exteriorlyof the tank l4 and a web 55 is disposed across the pipe 25, beingsecured thereto by means of bolts or other suitable keepers 56. The web55 permits water or the like to flow through the openingsvof said weband the latter is provided with a medially disposed bushing 57. Thebushing 51 is provided with an axially disposed bore, the inner annularwall of which is provided with a screw thread, the latter beingcomplemental with respect to the thread 5| of the shaft 50.

As thus described, it will be seen that since the web is stationary withrespect to the conduit or collector pipe 25 that at times when the shaft55 is rotated, a corresponding movement is applied to the abovedescribedlinks and shoes for causing them to slide longitudinally in andwith respect to the collector pipe 25.

A ro o s mila sui l mes fi t n 58 i e m es te t b 55 and to the flan edd o the collector pipe ;25 by means of the belts or keepers 55.

A- ind ca plate 5. i r d d ith an a m .60, the latter having a mediallydisposed aperture BI through which the shaft 5i) extends, said aperturedarm being secured to the cross 58 by any suitable means such as weldinor the like.

A yoke [52 is similarly suitably secured to the amt." o h indicate-r at59 nd the s f 0 tend u w r ly th ou h t n o t vot t lett be -ng providedth a packin land and :n as m l 63 f e nt n a l aka e of watertherethrough while at the same timepermitting rotary movements of theshaft 50,-

The outer end of the shaft 50 is provided with a c eek 4 ha n a rati hadl 55 su ably secured to one end thereof and an arm (it a its other end.The arm 65 is disposed at an approximate right angle with respect to thecrank 54 and adjacent the free end of the arm 66, an indicator isprovided.

The indicator plate 59 is provided with, four notches which serve asindicants and, in lieu of said notches, suitable indicia may be providedfor purposes later described.

It will be seen that at times when the handle as is employ d f ma u l rtatin th shaft 50 t at a sliding mo men s pplied to the shoes within thecollector pipe 25 correspondn lv- By means of dotted lines, an inletpipe is indicated at I5, said pipe being in communication with a sourceof supply of water under pressure. The pipe 15 is attached to a Tee I6and a cutsofi valve I8 is disposed at one side of the Tee IS and asimilar cut-oil valve I9 at the other side ther The cut-off valve Isisin communication with an arm of the cross 58 through a pipe 80, asillustrated in Figure 1.

The cut-off cock- "I8 is in communication with a further Tee 8| thelatter being incomrnunication with a pipe 20 ofthe new device through aDi 8 The Tee 8! is in communication with a further cut-oil cock 83-, thelatter being arranged to permit or to prevent, as may be selected, apass ase of i u d om h ut-off cock 83:00 a drain pipe 84, the latterattending to or being in com.- munciation with a sewer, not shown.

e- -Im 0 h cross hich is oppositely disposed with respect to the armthereof to which the pipe is attached is provided with a pipe 90. Thelatter is secured to a further Tee 9|. The Tee 9| is in communicationwith thepipe 02 which leads to the service line whereby filtered wateris distributed through said line, as later described.

TheTee 9| is provided with a cut-off cock 92, the latter being arrangedto permit or to prevent, as may be Selected, a passage of liquid fromthe cut-offcock 9,2? to a drainpipe 93., the latter be.- ing incommunication with said sewer or cons nected to the drain pipe 84; asmay be desired.

Within the compartments II, I8 and I9 of the tank I4, an upperlamination of fine sand indi-v cated at I00 is provided in the saidcompartments, said material I00 resting upon a lamination of coarsermaterial indicated at Hill, the latter being supported upon a laminationof fine gravel I02.

The laminations of gravel I02'within. each of the compartments H. to I9inclusive are each supported upon a layer of coarse gravel I03, thelatter extending to the bottom of the tank part way up the side wallthereof at each side of the collector pipe 2-9.

Referring to Figure 3, the collector pipe 25 is provided with a skirt III] at one side thereof and a like skirt III at the other side thereof.

The upper ends of the skirts are welded to the outer side wall of thecollector pipe 25 and the lower edges of said skirts are spaced awayfrom the inner annular wall H2 of the sleeve I0 of the tank I4, saidspaces being indicated at H3 and H4, respectively.

As best shown in Figure 2, the skirts III] and I I I are provided ineach of the compartments I1 to I9 inclusive and, in addition to beingwelded to the collector pipe 25, the ends of the skirts are preferablyWelded to the transversely disposed divisional walls- I5 and Ii: of thetank.

It will be understood that the spaces II3 and H4 are in vertical heighthless than the diame ter of the coarse gravel I03 adjacent to said skirtswhereby said gravel is prevented from entering the chambers X providedbetween the skirts H0 and III of each of the said compartments.

During operation, in order to filter water, the valves 83 and 92' areclosed together with the valve 19 and at this time, the valve I8 isopen, these valves being the conventional valves usually employed with awater filter mechanism. It will be understood that the pipe I5 is incommunication with the source of supply of water under pressure to befiltered, said water flowing through the then open valve I8, Tee 8i andpipe 82 and into the tank I4 through the pipe 20 of the new device.

The water is distributed evenly from the pipe 20, through the apertures22, 23 and 2 and respectively into the compartments I"! to I9 inclusive.Since the apertures of the pipe 20 are disposed upwardly with respect tothe tank I4, the water under pressure upon leaving the pipe 20 impingesagainst the upper portion of the wall of the tank I 4, said upperportion being arcuate in cross-section causing the water to becomespread approximately evenly to both sides of the pipe 20, said waterfalling upon the sand I00, permeating the latter together with the otherfiltering material indicated at lilI, I02 and 03. The water whichreaches the bottom of the tank becomes freed of the undesired impuritiesand passes under the skirts of the new device through the spacesindicated at I 13 and I M, as best shown in Figure 3.

At this time, the slide valve-shoes 30, 36 and Here in the positionshown in Figure 1 whereby the ports 26 to 28 inclusive are open forpermittingthe then filtered water to enter the collector conduit 25 andpass, outwardly of the latter through the cross 58 and into the pipe 92,the latter'being called the service pipe since it extends to laundrytubs, vats, tanks, containers or the like, where the filtered water isto be used and the said operation is permitted to continue until suchtime as it is desired to back Wash the filtering material.

During percolation of the water which is delivered to the service pipe92, the ports 25 to 28 inclusive being open, permits the entire capacityof the tank to be utilized since the multiple or plurality ofcompartments thereof are employed simultaneously.

During aback washing operation and in order to employ water underpressure for said purpose and-derived from the same source as thepercolated water, it willbe understoodthat the'd'egree pressure and flowrate being the same, itis essential to back wash the compartments l'l'tol9 inclusive separately for freeing the debris from the filteringmaterial and for this purpose the operation is as follows: V

The conventional valves 18 and 92' are closed together with a valve, notshown, which governs a flow of liquid through the service pipe Mend, atthis time, the valve 79 is open together with the valve 83.

As thus described, it will be seen that during a back washing operationwater under pressure from the inlet pipe is causedto flow into the cross58 and into the collector pipe through the covers the opening or port 28and one end of the shoe 36 covers the port 21, the port 26 being opensince the adjacent end of the shoe 43 becomes moved toward the port 28but does not cover the latter.

As thus described, it will be seen that the full force of the waterunder pressure from the intake pipe 15 becomes applied to the chamber orcompartment H and through the port 26 from the pipe 25, said wash waterunder pressure passing under the edge of the skirts H0 and ill of thecompartment I1 and upwardly through the filtering material and into thepipe 20 through the apertures 22 of the latter, said waterfiowingoutwardlyof the pipe 20 through the valve "83 and into the pipe 84 fordistribution to the sewer or other suitable place of disposal, theoperation being permitted to continue until the filtering material ofthe compartment H is washed.

The operator now manipulates the crank 84 for disposing the indicator'8! in alignment with a third notch of the indicator plate 59 therebycausing the rod to rotate for moving the shoes 43, 36 and 30simultaneously further toward the crank 84 and, as thus described, itwill be seen that said further movement causes the port 23 to becomesealed or covered by the shoe 43, together with the port 28 covered bythe other end of the shoe 30, said movement causing the aperture 31 ofthe shoe 36 to become in alignment with the port 21 of the pipe 25whereby the force of the wash water under pressure thereby becomesdiverted to the compartment l8 and to the exclusion of the compartmentsH and 19 with the exception of a small amount of water which may,

pass into the compartments I l and I9 through the apertures 22 and 24 ofthe pipe 20, said amount being substantially negligible does not effectthe desired resultant to an appreciable detrimental extent. 1

The wash water under pressure upon leaving the pipe 25 through the port27 passes under the skirts adjacent said pipe as heretofore describedand moves upwardly through the filtering material of the compartment I8and outwardly of the pipe 20, valve 82 to the sewer, as above described,with respect to the compartment IT.

After the compartment I8 is washed, the op:- erator further manipulatesthe crank 64 for causing the indicator 61 to become in alignment withthe last notch of the indicator plate 59whereby 8 the shoe" 30'becomes-movedfpast and; away from the port" 28 of the pipe 29 and in thedirection and-towards the crank 64. "Itwill be seen that at this timethe portion of the shoe 36 which is disposed towards the shoe 43 thencovers'the port 21' and similarly that end of the shoe' 43 which isdisposed towards thec'over'cap 29 thencovers the port 26 whereby thefull force of the wash water under pressure from the inlet 15 becomesapplied tothe compartment l9 through the port 23, said water passingunder the skirts of "the compartment l9,-as above described, for deans:ing the filtering material of the compartment); After all thecompartments have been cleansed, the operator then manipulates the crankfor returning the shoes 38, 36 and 43 to their normal position, as shownin Figure 1. v

Among other advantages of the invention, it is believed pertinent tomention that, as heretofore practiced, the complement of conventionalvalves shown in Figure 1 have employed for each'filter: ing tank and, asabove described, it will be'seen that but one set of the saidconventional valves are necessary for the multiple compartment tank ofthe present invention and that the necessity for a large number ofconventional ground and machined valves is obviated by the presentarrangement of parts which employs but one conventio'nal valve for themultiple compartment tank thereof and a cheaply constructed shoe valvefor each compartment. It is contemplated that, if desired, a smallamount of water can leak past the shoe valves since the latter do notsnugly seal their respective ports 26'to 28 and without appre ciablyeffecting the desired resultants detrimen tally. l It will also beobvious that, if desired, the shoe valves of the present inventiontogether with the interior of the collector pipe 25 may be machined tofit snugly although it is found that water under pressure during a backwashing operation aids in sealing the shoes of the present inventionsnugly against and over the walls of their respective, ports 26, 21 and28. r

With respect to the modification shown in Figure 5, the tank M thereofis approximately semicircular in 'cross section, being provided with aplurality of compartments as heretofore described with respect to thetank M. -A further difference is that whereas a pipe-20 is employed inconjunction with the tank M, a trough 20" is employed with respect tothe gravity flow tank of the'present invention shown in Figure 5; Waterisintroduced into the trough 28' from a sourceof supply and through thepipe 28";

' During operation, the =ivater to be percolated overflows the upperedge of the trough 2N and permeates by'gravity through the laminationsof filtering material and during a back washing operation of the saidmaterial, the back washing.

water together with the sediment freed from the filtering materialoverflowing the top edge of the tank. -14. With these exceptions anddiiferences in construction'and operation, the two tanks are similar.

Referring to Figure 3, the compartment 3 of the tank 14 is provided witha manhole I50, havin'g'a cover It" which is greater in area than saidmanhole. A crescent shaped support I52 isprovided-having ends which bearagainst the outer surface-of the sleeve I0 of the tank M for sup--porting the manhole cover IS! in position by means of a threaded shaftI53 which is thread ed'ly attached to the member I52 and tothe m'anholecover I5I,'as best shown in Figure 3;

At times when it is desired to change the filtering material within thetank or to decrease or add to the quantity thereof, the manhole cover i!is removed for the said purpose whereby an operator may enter the tank 4for shoveling said material outwardly through the manhole and it will beunderstood that the other compartments l7 and i9 of the tank Ml aresimilarly provided with manholes and covers therefor as represented bydotted lines in Figure 1.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that acompartmented filter constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification including variations in the shape and size of the partswithout departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for thisreason, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice, except as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a filter having three chambers each provided with an outlet: meansfor governing a flow of backwash water through said chambers andoutlets, said means comprising a conduit-pipe having closed ends adaptedto be connected to a source of supply of water under pressure, said pipebeing provided with an opening for and in communication with eachchamber; a shoe for each opening, said shoes each being of a larger sizeand of a complemental transverse shape with respect to the walls oftheir respective openings for sealing the latter at desired times, saidshoes being longitudinally slideably disposed in said pipe; meansconnecting said shoes together, the middle shoe being provided with anaperture therethrough adapted to align with the walls of its opening attimes; and means slideable with respect to said pipe and secured to oneof said shoes and extending outwardly of said pipe for causing saidshoes to slide longitudinally of said pipe.

2. In a filter having three chambers each provided with an outlet, meansfor governing a flow of backwash water through said chambers andoutlets, said means comprising a conduit-pipe having closed ends adaptedto be connected to a source of supply of water under pressure, said pipebeing provided with an opening for and in communication with eachchamber, a shoe for each opening, said shoes being of an approximatelyplano-convex shape in cross section complemental to the cross sectionalcontour of said pipe and each of a greater length and width than theirrespective opening, links connecting said shoes together in alignment,said shoes being slidably disposed in said pipe, the middle shoe beingprovided a medial aperture adapted to align with its opening at times,and a shaft having an end loosely connected to an end shoe the other endof said shaft being disposed outwardly of one end of said pipe andprovided with a crank, said shaft being provided with a screw thread forsliding said shoes with respect to said pipe correspondingly withrespect to movements of said crank.

3. In a filter having a plurality of chambers each provided with anoutlet: means for governing a flow of backwash water through saidchambers and outlets, said means comprising a conduitpipe having closedends adapted to be connected to a source of supply of water underpressure, said pipe being provided with an opening for and incommunication with each chamber; a shoe for each opening, said shoeseach being of a larger size and of a complemental transverse shape withrespect to the walls of their respective openings for sealing the latterat desired times, said shoes being longitudinally slideably disposed insaid pipe; means connecting said shoes together, at least one of saidshoes being provided with aperture therethrough adapted to align withthe walls of its opening at times; and means slideable with respect tosaid pipe and secured to one of said shoes and extending outwardly ofsaid pipe for causing said shoes to slide longitudinally of said pipe.

4. In a filter having a plurality of chambers each provided with anoutlet: means for governing a flow of backwash water through saidchainbers and outlets, said means comprising a conduit pipe havingclosed ends adapted to be connected to a source of supply of water underpressure, said pipe being provided with an opening for and incommunication with each chamber; a shoe for each opening, said shoeseach being of a larger size and of a complemental transverse shape withrespect to the Walls of their respective openings for sealing the latterat desired times, said shoes being longitudinally slideably disposed insaid pipe; means connecting said shoes together, at least one of saidshoes being provided with an aperture therethrough adapted to align withthe walls of its opening at times; a shaft slideably and rotatablydisposed in said pipe, said shaft being rotatably se cured to one ofsaid shoes; means for threadedly securing said shaft to said conduit;and means for rotating said shaft.

CLAYTON W. WOODS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

